Jagan's Resonance with an Unnamed Indian Leader in The Vendor of Sweets

 

R.K. Narayan is best known for his innovation of the South Indian town “Malgudi” which is the setting of almost all his major literary work. The novel, The Vendor of Sweets is also one such novel. Jagan is the protagonist in this fiction. He is often found to mirror one of India’s famous leaders in looks and beliefs. This is a key element that hooked me to the novel, I was always eager to witness the end of the novel and compare it to this iconic Indian leader.

Shifting toward the cover page of the novel’s 26^th reprint, which comprises a bald man in his late 60s (though Jagan is only in his mid-50s) wearing round spectacles and a curve on his upper spine resonates on what has been referred to before. By now, if you are aware of India and its history you might probably be aware of whom I am referring to. Moreover, Jagan’s “magnum opus on Nature Cure and Natural Diet” also resonates with the implications I am creating.

Does Jagan Symbolize the Indian Political Leader I'm Pointing To?

An intriguing aspect lies in Jagan’s characterization. Examining his connection with his late wife Ambhika, it becomes clear that Jagan adheres strongly to traditional values. Jagan refers to “aspirin” as poison and does not allow Mali to walk past it. These medicines were supposed to be given to Ambhika as a relief to the pain she gained due to her incurable brain tumor. However, Jagan insists on treating her pain with “Margosa flowers fried in Ghee oil”, yet these traditional remedies fail to relieve her tormenting headaches. To me, these incidents in the novel appear to symbolize the demise of the leader's wife. Her husband steers her away from “English medicine,” forcing her to rely on indigenous remedies, mirroring the tragic fate of Ambhika.

Despite this, Jagan's spiritual journey takes a different path compared to the leader. This contrast, a unique feature of Narayan's storytelling, adds depth to the novel’s exploration. Readers will discover these contradictions as they embark on their voyage to read The Vendor of Sweets.